Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised concerns over the increasing reliance on borehole drilling for water supply, warning that the long-term consequences could be severe.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo attributed the widespread drilling of boreholes, particularly in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to the failure of successive administrations to maintain and utilize the Oyan Dam project, which was initiated under his military regime in 1977.
The Importance of Water Management in Food Security
Speaking during a visit by the management of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, led by its Managing Director, Adedeji Ashiru, Obasanjo emphasized that proper water management is critical to achieving food security and sustainability.
He stated that the neglect of water resources has forced residents of Abeokuta to dig boreholes indiscriminately, a practice he believes may have serious environmental repercussions in the future.
“We cannot overemphasize the importance of water to human life. This is why we say that ‘water has no enemy,’” Obasanjo noted.
“As Military Head of State in 1977, I recognized that strategic water management must be a key part of achieving food security. This led to the creation of 11 River Basins, including the Lake Chad Basin, to support irrigation and year-round farming.”
Obasanjo warned that relying solely on rain-fed agriculture is unsustainable due to unpredictable weather patterns, including droughts and floods, which negatively impact food production.
Oyan Dam: A Neglected Asset
The former president expressed disappointment that Oyan Dam, originally designed to generate power and supply water to Ogun and Lagos States, has failed to fulfill its intended purpose 48 years after its construction.
He pointed out that the dam was designed to generate 9 megawatts of electricity, which, if fully utilized, could significantly boost power supply and alleviate Nigeria’s energy challenges.
“Oyan Dam was built to provide water for Abeokuta and Lagos, but unfortunately, it has been neglected, along with the turbine meant for power generation,” he lamented.
“As a result, Abeokuta residents have resorted to digging boreholes, causing groundwater levels to decline. This will have repercussions in the future. How long it will take before we feel the full impact, I don’t know—but geologists should study and predict the extent of the damage.”
The Dangers of Unregulated Borehole Drilling
Obasanjo’s concerns highlight the environmental risks associated with excessive borehole drilling, including:
- Groundwater Depletion – Continuous extraction lowers the water table, making it harder to access underground water over time.
- Land Subsidence – Unregulated drilling can destabilize soil structure, leading to possible sinkholes and land collapses.
- Water Contamination – Poorly maintained boreholes increase the risk of pollution from surface contaminants, posing health risks.
Call for Action
Obasanjo urged federal and state governments to revamp water infrastructure projects like the Oyan Dam to ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply for residents. He also stressed the need for investment in irrigation systems to enhance food production and reduce dependence on seasonal rainfall.
As Nigeria faces growing water security challenges, experts have echoed Obasanjo’s warning, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes like borehole drilling.
The big question remains: Will the government take proactive steps to restore the Oyan Dam and improve water management, or will the nation continue to face water scarcity and environmental degradation in the years to come?
